Bell tolls for Ablett in Nelson Trophy
16/09/2014
James Ablett (Lee-on-the-Solent) shot another flawless round, this time a four-under-par 66 to win one of the region’s premier events, the Nelson Trophy Pro-Am at the prestigious St. George’s Hill GC in Surrey.
One of Colt’s best loved designs, the course demonstrated the depth of its challenge but a strong field still showed its class with over a third of the field at par or better. Without dropping a single shot Ablett made birdies at the fourth, seventh, 10th and 17th to take the famous silver bell trophy by one stroke and take home the winner’s cheque for £800.
On song yet again, but in the runner up position this time was Chris Gane (Lefthandedgolf@Silvermere) with a three-under-par 67 and £650, while current St George’s Hill course record holder Tim Spence (The Golf College) was third with a 68.
Ablett commented, “St. George’s Hill is one of my favourite courses, and to play in this event is a real privilege. I’m playing well at the moment and was very solid on the day, so to make the fourth birdie on the 17th and lift the trophy at the end of the day is very special.”
He continued, “The course as you’d expect was in excellent condition, and judging on past experience some of the pin positions could have been even tougher, but all in all it was a great test of golf and a very good day for golf as usual.”
Ablett’s very much in contention for the last of the three places to the Titleist PGA Play Offs in Turkey at the end of November, so he is hoping he can keep his winning form up for the two last events, the Tylney Park Classic OOM Finale on October 8th to 10th, and the Keith MacDonald PGA South Match Play.
The Nelson Trophy Pro-Am has been running now for over 20 years and has raised well over a quarter of a million pounds for the Esher-based Princess Alice Hospice. 31 teams of St George’s Hill’s finest plus invited guests enjoyed some great golf and hospitality both on the course from Waitrose and Berry Bros, and off with a fine St George’s Hill lunch followed by an auction hosted by local comedian Adger Brown.
